Feathered friends to be featured at fireside fundraiser

Christina Hennessy

Published 2:40 pm, Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Erika Labrie, an animal technician at Earthplace in Westport, works with Marble, a barred owl. The nature center's birds of prey will be in the spotlight on Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, when Earthplace hosts a family fundraiser. For more information, visit http://www.earthplace.org.
Photo: Contributed Photo

Erika Labrie, an animal technician at Earthplace in Westport, works...

Consider it a bit of a debut, if you will -- a chance for some of the residents of Earthplace to spread their wings, literally and metaphorically.

"This is a great way to connect the public with these animals and their experiences," said Amanda Chisholm, an naturalist educator who began working at the Westport nature center last year. "I think an event like this also enriches the lives of the birds."

Earthplace will host a "Family Campfire and Raptor Encounter" fundraiser Friday night, when some of the center's birds of prey will be showing off the skills they have learned so far in their training.

"It is a long process to train the birds, to earn their trust and get them comfortable around people," said Chisholm, who is one of three trainers at the site. "It takes a lot of time to work with them."

The birds of prey that make their home at Earthplace are there because they suffered some injury while in their natural habitat. Chisholm said some have partial wing amputations, while others have vision problems. However, in their new abode, Chisholm said, they serve as wonderful ambassadors for the children and adults who visit.

"Some of these birds are incredibly common in Connecticut," she said. "However, you may hardly see them."

Chisholm said many, such as Eastern Screeh owl, are expert in the art of camouflage and can be hard to spot.

On Friday, she is hoping to bring out a few of the center's residents, including some owls and a red-tailed hawk. Although she may not be ready, Chisholm said the trainers have begun working with the center's bald eagle, as well, who is proving to be one of the most challenging birds with which Chisholm has worked.

"As you can imagine, just her sheer size and power is a challenge," she said.

The campfire and training demonstration will help raise funds for the continuted care of the animals.

"We want to be able to offer unique programs to the community," Chisholm said, noting that such support helps in that mission.

Chisholm said it never fails to inspire her when she sees a visitor get close to one of the birds. It may be the first time they get to see the feather patterns that give the red-tailed hawk its name.

"It is an amazing experience to facilitate that connection with these birds," she said.